Electric switch for sad-irons.



C. P. MADSEN. ELECTRIC SWITCH FOB. SAD IRONS.

nrLIoA'rIon HLBD FEB. 11, 1911.

1,036,868, Patented Aug. 27, 1912.

DI Ey. l.

UNITED sTATEs IJATENT OFFICE.-

CHAnLEs P. MADSEN. or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIGivoa, BY MEsNEASSIGNMENTS, To

PELOUZE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFILLINOIS.

p ELECTRIC swIrCHrron san-mons. i

1,036,868.- riginal application nled January 22,

To all 'wh-0m t may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES I. MAnsEN, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, Cook county,Illinois, have in vented a certain new, useful, and Improved ElectricSwitch for Sad-Irons, of which the following is a full, true, clear, andexact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art towhich it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to electrically heated articles and has particularreference to means for controlling the electric current to electric sadirons.

A serious objection to the usual electri.

cally heated sad irons lies in thel fact that the current supply to theiron cannot be regulated or controlled. In consequence the properironing temperature cannot be maintained, and the iron becomesabnormally heated if left in the circuit too long and therebyscorchesthe clothes.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide means for controllingthe electric current supply to the iron at the will ,of the operator andwhile the iron is in use so that the temperature of the iron may beproperly regulated to suit ironing conditions.

From another standpoint an object of my invention is to provide aseparable plug for the iron which may be readily connected to ordisconnected from the iron but which will be so related to the iron andparticularly to the handle thereof as to .constitute a controllingswitch operable by a hand gripping the handle during the ironing processfor shutting olil 01' turning on the current as described.

Another and more particular object of my invention is to provide anelectrically heated sad iron and a heater therefor, in combination withan attachment or terminal plug co-acting with the terminals of theelectric heater to form a combined controlling switch and plug, togetherwith means for holding vthe plug in its proper position while it isserving its dual function.

Other objects of my invention will appear hereinafter.

I will describe one of the numerous embodiments of my invention in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a sad iron showing thecorrelation of the Specioation of )letters Patent. Patented Aug. 27,191,2.

190s, serial no. 412,176. Divided and um appuaaon med February 11, 1911.sum1 No. 608,051. l

iron and the-fmeans for controlling the current; Fig. 2 1s a transversevertical sectlonal v view o n line 2--2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3is a top planView of the iron shown in the preceding figures, the handle beingremoved so'as not to interferet with the view of the parts beneath thehandle, this view bein taken on the section'line 3-3 of Fig. 1; ig. 4 isan enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the switch and plug member;and Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the combined switch tand plug, partthereof being shown in secion.

The sad iron which is shown in the drawings and which I have chosen asbest illustrative of my invention, is of the type shown in my co-pendingapplications, Serial No. 412,176, filed January 22, 1908, and No.454,355 filedv September 23, 1908, wherein the subject matter of thisapplication is disclosed; this being a divisional application primarilyof my said application Serial No.

'A, which is provided with a polished bottom`for smoothing and ironingpurposes; the heater element or unit B, by means of which the heat issupplied to the hot plate; the top or weight member C, which furnishesthe desired weight to the iron; and the handle D. The hot platepreferably consists of a flat, thin rimless metal plate, ofsubstantially triangular shape, aI1d`constitutes the bottom element -ofthe iron. This plate has a central upstanding enlargement A, preferablyof triangular form, which is adapted to interlock with a correspondinglyshaped opening in the heater element so as to prevent relative rotationof the heater element and hot plate. In this construction' of sad iron,the\heater element B is preferably made as a separate article ofmanufacture, and is made conveniently removable as a unit so that it maybe replaced by a new heater at comparatively small cost"4 in the eventthe heater should become damaged.' It consists of a plate of refractoryinsulating material B having a triangular central opening B whichreceives and interlocks with the upstanding enlargement on the hotplate. 0n its under surface or face this insulating plate has a broad,shallow, fiat-bottomed recess B wherein is preferably embedded a singleplane heating conductor 1. '.llus heating conductor lies close to thehot plate, as shown in Fig. 1, so that practically all of the heat istransmitted directly to the hot plate, very little, if any, beingdissipated 1n the upper portion of the iron body. The conductor iselectrically insulated from the hot plate, however, by means of a sheetof mica 2 or other suitable insulating material.

In order to further carry out the unitary idea of the heating element.the ends o f the winding are connected, as shown in Flg. 2, to parallelupstanding contact blades or strips 3 suitably secured to the insulatingplate. These blades are stiifened and held in their proper position bymeans of a column of insulating material fastened to the plate andprojecting upwardly through a tapered opening 5l in the top element orweight portion of the iron.

The heater unit constitutes the intermediate element of the sad iron andis interposed, as will be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, between the hot lateand the upper member, the three portions or elements of the iron beingpreferably clamped together by means of a single fastening or clampingdevice. This consists of a bolt 6 upstanding from the centralenlargement of the hot plate, and a nut 7 screwed on the upper endthereof for clamping the elements together, the bolt passing through anenlarged hole 8 in the member C.

)t very desirable feature in electrically heated sad irons is tomaintain theY upper portion thereof as cool as possible, and to' confinethe heat to the bottom or ironing surface. In o-rder topcarry out thisidea, I prefer to provide the weight element or member C with a largecomparatively deep cavity C in its underside, and to till this cavitywith a loosely packed heat insulating material such as asbestos andmagnesia. In addition to this, I interpose an insulating washer 9between the nut and the member C, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to preventthe heat from the upstanding post or bolt 6 from reaching the member C.It will be seen that this construction provides a rather thin flange, soto speak, at the lower edge of the member C which reduces the actualcontact between said member and the heater to a comparatively smallarea. This flange co-acts with a shouldered edge Bm of the insulatingplate and constitutes a periph eral interlockment therebetween whichprevents any relative rotation.

It will be noted that the insulating washer, the nut and the end of thebolt all lie within a rather deep recess or depression 10 in the memberC, the purpose of this being to keep these parts well within the body ofthe iron and at the same time have as little iron as possibleimmediately surrounding the bolt so that the heat will not be absorbedthereby. The handle member D, by which the iron is manipulated,comprises a gripping portion D located above the body of the iron andsubstantially parallel thereto. The grip D is mounted u on a suitablyformed post D securely astened to the front end of the member C by meansof a bolt D.

It will be noted that the handle is fastened to the front end of theiron only, the purpose of this being that it leaves a clear spacebetween the rear port-ion of the handle and the body of the iron for theconnecting leads and for the proper manipulation of the switch, ashereinafter described. The hand le also performs another function: Itcooperates with the lu s G projecting from the rear end of the iron toform a rest for the iron when it is tipped up on end.

As before intimated, the contact blades 3, which are carried by theheater unit, project upwardly beyond the insulating cols umn 4 and intoa rectangular recess or groove 12. This channel or recess extends fromt-he depression 10 to the rear end of the iron and forms a guide for themovable switch plug S. In some instances I make the switch permanent onthe iron in position to be operated from the handle. D, and I provide aseparate plug for connect-ing the conductor leads to the iron, but,speaking generally, the most acceptable arrangement is the combinedswitch and plug, this being preferably reciprocatory or movable in thechannel guide 12 so as to engage or disengage the contact blades orheater terminals 3 which project into the channel 12. It being essentialthat the block be held in the channel subject to its reciprocatingmovement, and at the same time be capable of being completely removedwhen desired to entirely disconnect the iron, I have provided a springmember which yieldingly presses upon the upper side of the block. Oneend 13 of this spring is provided with an enlarged hole through whichthe bolt 6 passes, and is rmly clamped under the insulating washer 9. Ithas an intermediate portion 13 which rises upward at the end of theguide channel 12. From the upper end of the portion 13 is a portion 13"lying substantially parl allel and above the switch block S. Thisportion of the spring is bifurcated or forked so as to provide a slotfor the reception of the knob of the switch block and in addition itserves as a limit stop for the switch. The free ends of the bifurcationsare bentto form catches 13 which snap into shallow grooves 14 in theupper face of the block. The grooves 14 correspond to the positionwherein the switch plug is disconnected from the heater contact blades.llVhen the switch is moved into engagement with thecontact blades thebent ends of the s ring snap over the rear of the block an yieldinglyhold the block in such position. It will be noted that, although theswitch plug is partially locked in either of its operative positions, itmay at any time be easily removed from the iron by simply pulling it outofits channel endlSe- Attention is particularly directed to the factthat the switch block is disposed in a position beneath the handle ofthe iron. My reason in so positioning the switch is to make itpossiblefor convenient operation in its channel by the persons handWhile gripping the handle during the use of the iron. It is onlynecessary that one or two of the fingers of the hand grip the littlelinob S, provided for the purpose, in order to shift the switch into orout of connection with the heater terminals, this being accomplishedwithout removing the hand from the handle. Thus it will be seen thatduring the process of ironing, should the iron become too hot it issimply necessary to shift t-he switch to its disconnected position,thereby permitting the iron to cool down to the desired temperaturewithout interrupting the ironing process.

It will be clearly understood that` any desirable form of switchingdevice may be used. When the combined plug and switch, which I haveshown, is employed it may be made to move laterally or vertically asdesired. I lind that the form of combined switch and plug, shown in thedrawings, seems to be most acceptableto users of the iron. It comprisesa rectangular block 15 of suitable insulating material of a size toslidingly fit the guide channel 12. The block contains longitudinalholes or bores 16 and slots 17, each of the latter opening through thebottom of the block so that the slots and holes form recesses to receivethe upper ends of respective contact blades 3. On the sides of the blockare lateral holes 18 which communicate with the respective longitudinalholes. Each longitudinal hole contains a contact member which forms aterminal for the conductor leads F. The terminals are adapted to engagethe contact blades 3. Each of the contact members comprises a straightleaf portion 19 having an outwardly turned beveled end, and a bent orleaf spring 20 the free end of which is oppositely turned. The twoleaves of each contact member or terminal are suitably fastened togetherand contain a threaded hole for a binding screw 21. The binding screwsextend into the lateral holes 18 so that they may be reached by a screwdriver or tool when it is desired to connect 'the cord thereto. Theselateral holes are suiiiciently larger than the binding screws to permitconsiderable movement of the terminal members. It will be seen that thusconstructed, the

my purpose in arrangin them in this manner 1s to permit them to ave freemovement within certain limits so that they .may readily adaptthemselves to any irregularlties in construction. Furthermore, shouldthe contact blades or terminals become slightly bent by accident theoperation of the switch will not be interfered with. The flexibleconductors F are brought together to the rear end of the block through arubber protector or sleeve F and the ends of the conductor pass throughholes 22 in the block and thence to their respective terminal members towhich they are fastened by means of the binding screws 21. The purposeof the rubber sleeve is to protect'the conductors and to prevent anaccidental shock to the user. In addition to this, I provide a flexiblemetal spring anchored to the block by the screw 23, for the purpose ofholding the leads vertical for a portion of their length immediatelyabove the block so that when the iron is tipped up on end the conductorswill not be bent or broken.

It will readily be seen that my invention may assume various shapes andbe embodied in diii'erent structures Without departing from the spiritof the invention. I desire my invention to be construed accordingly.

I claim:

l. An'electric sad. ir'on, comprising a sad iron body, a handle for saidbody, and an electric heater located in the body, in combination with amovable switch for said heater mounted on the body to be operated by ahand gripping handle a clip for holdterminals form flexible or floatingjaws and sov ing the switch in open and closed positions, v

, with an electrically heated sad iron body, a

handle therefor, and an electric heater located in the body, terminalstherefor, in combination with a movable electric switch located on thetop of the body independent of but adjacent to the handle in position tobe manually moved between fixed points for connection and disconnectionwith the heater terminals.

4. An electric sad iron, comprising a bod and a heating winding mountedin the bo y and having protruding terminals, an operating handle mountedon the body and extending rearwardly thereabove, a slidable switchmounted on the top of the body to engage the said terminals, a devicesecured to the body and adapted to yieldingly hold said lswitch in openor closed position with regage and disengage said terminals, a stopdevice secured to the body adapted to yieldingly bear on the switch andhold the latter in' open or closed circuit position, and a projectingmemberon the switch arranged within reach of the fingers of theoperators hand when gripping the handle.

6. In an electric sad iron, the combination with asad iron body havingan upstanding handle, of an electric heater therein having' terminalsprojecting from the body, and a combined switch and plug comprising acasing slidable upon said body in position `to be operated withoutremoving the hand from said handle, and a conductor attached to saidcasing and having terminal fingers that are movable into and out ofengagement with the terminals upon the movement of the casing.

7. A switch block for sad irons, comprising a substantially rectangularbody of insulating material containing parallel holes, parallel slotsand lateral openings, in combination with self-adapting contact'jaws insaid holes, binding screws in respective lateral openings, and jaws andelectrical conductors in respective holes and connected with respectivejaws by respective binding screws.-

8. A switch blockfor sad irons comprising a substantially rectangularbody of insulating material containing parallel holes, parallel slotsand lateral openings, in combination with a self-adapting contact jawloosely placed in each said hole, binding screws in respective lateralopenings, and electrical conductors loosely placed in respective holesand connected with respective' jaws by respective binding screws.

9. A switch block for sad irons, comprising a knobbed block or body ofinsulating material containing contact slots and cavities, incombination with Hoating contacts in said cavities, arranged toautomatically adjust themselves to the contacts with which they engage,conductors connected with said contacts, within said cavities, suitablyinsu- 'lated and joined outside said block, and a resilient holdertherefor on said block, substantially as described.

10. The improvements herein describedV comprising an electrically heatedsad-iron having terminal contacts connected to its heating means, incombination with a terminal plug connected to the current supply leadsand adapted to be removably mounted upon said iron in engagementwithsaid terminals to complete the circuit to the iron,

and means permitting said terminal plug to be .shifted on said iron toopen the circuit without detaching said plug from the iron.

11. The improvements herein described comprising an electrically heatedsad-iron having terminal contacts connected to its heating means, incombination with a terminal plug connected to the current supply leadsand adapted to be removably mounted upon said iron in engagement withsaid terminals to complete the circuit to the iron, means permittingsaid plug to be bodily shifted on said iron to open the circuitwithout-detaching said plug from the iron, and a handle for said ironarranged in position to enable the users hand to operate said plug onsaid iron without removing the hand from the handle.

l2. The improvements herein described comprising an electrically heatedsad-iron having terminal contacts connected to its heating means, incombination with a terminal plug connected to the current supply leadsand 'adapted to be detachably mounted upon said iron in engagement withsaid terminals to complete the circuit to the iron, a holding devicepermitting vsaid plug to be shifted through a limited range on said ironto open the circuit without detaching said plug from the iron, and anupstanding operating handle mounted on the forward end of said iron soas not to interfere with the free manipulation of said, plug and theattached current supply.

13. ln an electric sad iron, comprising a base plate, a shell, and ahandle secured to the top of the shell, an electric heating elementcontained in the shell, a pair oflead wires for said heating elemententering the shell, and a switch mounted on the shell directly under thehandle, and adapted for i controlling the connection between the heat--ing elelnent and the lead Wires.

In testimony whereof, Ihave hereunto set my hand this 4th day ofFebruary, 1911, in the presenceof two subscribin witnesses.

CHARLES P. DSEN.

Witnesses:

JOHN R. LEFEVRE, CHARLES GILBERT HAWLEY.

